IRature IFlotes: 
tCbe Selborne Society’s fIDagasine. 
No. 49. JANUARY, 1894. Vol. V. 
FEEDING THE BIRDS IN WINTER. 
OW that winter is here, those whose custom it is to feed 
the birds during the long weary months of frost and 
snow have probably begun their useful work. Per- 
haps I may be allowed to suggest that occasional 
notes from those who do this, recording their experiences, and 
giving lists of the birds which come to their windows, might be 
interesting to many readers of Nature Notes. There are 
probably bird-feeding members of the Selborne Society in all 
parts of the kingdom, and throughout so extensive an area some 
diversity of species might perhaps be looked for. The physical 
conditions, too, of any particular neighbourhood would probably 
have some effect in varying the list. Dwellers in a woodland 
district might be visited by birds quite unlikely to come to 
houses situated in a marsh or fen country, or on open heath, and 
vice versa. No great variety, however, could, I think, be ex- 
pected, so many birds being too wild to approach houses under 
any circumstances. 
After long-continued frosts, the hard state of the ground 
makes it impossible for many birds to get at their food, and at 
such times many, especially the insectivorous ones, are starved 
to death ; while others become so weak that they fall an easy 
prey to their numerous enemies. The mortality among birds in 
severe winters is far greater than many people are wont to 
realise, but the lives of many may be preserved by supplying 
them with crumbs, seed, scraps from the table, &c. If this is 
done regularly (say twice a day), and a particular call, whistle, 
or bell made use of at the time the food is put out, the birds will 
soon learn to take advantage of the summons, and flock to the 
feast in gradually increasing numbers. A most pleasing and 
amusing sight is thus provided for those within doors. Children, 
